Patentable/Patents/US-9293424
US-9293424

Semiconductor structure for electrostatic discharge protection

PublishedMarch 22, 2016
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

A semiconductor structure is arranged on an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit includes a seal ring arranged at outer periphery of the integrated circuit, a metal ring arranged at an inner side of the seal ring and a power bus arranged at a side of the metal ring. The semiconductor structure includes a first P type electrode area, a second P type electrode area and a first N type electrode area. The first P type electrode area is formed at a position on a P well corresponding to the seal ring, and coupled to the seal ring. The second P type electrode area is formed at a position on the P well corresponding to the metal ring, and coupled to the metal ring. The first N type electrode area is formed at a position corresponding to the power bus, and coupled to the power bus.

Patent Claims
26 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.

1

1. A semiconductor structure for electrostatic discharge protection, arranged on an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit comprising a seal ring arranged at outer periphery of the integrated circuit, a metal ring arranged at an inner side of the seal ring, and a power bus arranged at a side of the metal ring, the semiconductor structure comprising: a first P type electrode area formed at a position on a P well corresponding to the seal ring, and coupled to the seal ring; a second P type electrode area formed at a position on the P well corresponding to the metal ring, and coupled to the metal ring; and a first N type electrode area formed at a position corresponding to the power bus, and coupled to the power bus; wherein the seal ring and the metal ring are coupled to ground, and the power bus is coupled to a voltage source.

2

2. The semiconductor structure of claim 1 , wherein the first P type electrode area, the second P type electrode area and the first N type electrode area are separated by a plurality of insulating areas.

3

3. The semiconductor structure of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of insulating areas are field oxide (FOX) areas.

4

4. The semiconductor structure of claim 1 , wherein the first N type electrode area is partially formed on the P well and an N well.

5

5. The semiconductor structure of claim 1 , wherein the first N type electrode area is formed on the P well.

6

6. The semiconductor structure of claim 5 , wherein the integrated circuit further comprises an N well coupled to the voltage source.

7

7. The semiconductor structure of claim 5 , wherein the P well is formed on a P type substrate, the integrated circuit further comprises an N type buried layer arranged between the P well and the P type substrate.

8

8. The semiconductor structure of claim 1 , wherein the power bus is arranged between the seal ring and the metal ring.

9

9. The semiconductor structure of claim 8 , wherein the first N type electrode area is extended outward to form an N type doping area, and doping concentration of the N type doping area is lower than doping concentration of the first N type electrode area.

10

10. The semiconductor structure of claim 1 further comprising: a second N type electrode area formed at a position on the P well corresponding to the seal ring, and coupled to the seal ring; and a third N type electrode area formed at a position corresponding to the metal ring, and coupled to the metal ring.

11

11. The semiconductor structure of claim 10 , wherein the second N type electrode area is closer to the first N type electrode area than the first P type electrode area, and the third N type electrode area is closer to the first N type electrode area than the second P type electrode area.

12

12. The semiconductor structure of claim 1 , wherein the integrated circuit further comprises a plurality of coupling units for coupling the seal ring and the metal ring.

13

13. The semiconductor structure of claim 1 , wherein the seal ring, the metal ring and the power bus are arranged at a same layer.

14

14. A semiconductor structure for electrostatic discharge protection, arranged on an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit comprising a seal ring arranged at outer periphery of the integrated circuit, a metal ring arranged at an inner side of the seal ring, and a power bus arranged at a side of the metal ring, the semiconductor structure comprising: a first N type electrode area formed at a position on an N well corresponding to the seal ring, and coupled to the seal ring; a second N type electrode area formed at a position on the N well corresponding to the power bus, and coupled to the power bus; and a first P type electrode area formed at a position corresponding to the metal ring, and coupled to the metal ring; wherein the seal ring and the power bus are coupled to a voltage source, and the metal ring is coupled to ground.

15

15. The semiconductor structure of claim 14 , wherein the first N type electrode area, the second N type electrode area and the first P type electrode area are separated by a plurality of insulating areas.

16

16. The semiconductor structure of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of insulating areas are field oxide (FOX) areas.

17

17. The semiconductor structure of claim 14 further comprising a P well, wherein the first P type electrode area is partially formed on the P well.

18

18. The semiconductor structure of claim 14 , wherein the metal ring is arranged between the seal ring and the power bus.

19

19. The semiconductor structure of claim 18 , wherein the integrated circuit further comprises a metal layer arranged above the seal ring, the metal ring and the power bus, for coupling the seal ring and the power bus.

20

20. A semiconductor structure for electrostatic discharge protection, arranged on an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit comprising a seal ring arranged at outer periphery of the integrated circuit, a metal ring arranged at an inner side of the seal ring, and a power bus arranged at a side of the metal ring, the semiconductor structure comprising: a first N type electrode area formed at a position on an P well corresponding to the seal ring, and coupled to the seal ring; a second N type electrode area formed at a position on the P well corresponding to the power bus, and coupled to the power bus; and a first P type electrode area formed at a position on the P well corresponding to the metal ring, and coupled to the metal ring; wherein the seal ring and the power bus are coupled to a voltage source, and the metal ring is coupled to ground.

21

21. The semiconductor structure of claim 20 , wherein the first N type electrode area, the second N type electrode area and the first P type electrode area are separated by a plurality of insulating areas.

22

22. The semiconductor structure of claim 21 , wherein the plurality of insulating areas are field oxide (FOX) areas.

23

23. The semiconductor structure of claim 20 further comprising: a first N well, wherein a center part of the first N type electrode area is formed on the first N well, and a peripheral part of the first N type electrode area is formed on the P well; and a second N well, wherein a center part of the second N type electrode area is formed on the second N well, and a peripheral part of the second N type electrode area is formed on the P well.

24

24. The semiconductor structure of claim 20 further comprising: a first N type doping area, formed between the first N type electrode area and the P well, wherein doping concentration of the first N type doping area is lower than doping concentration of the first N type electrode area; and a second N type doping area, formed between the second N type electrode area and the P well, wherein doping concentration of the second N type doping area is lower than doping concentration of the second N type electrode area.

25

25. The semiconductor structure of claim 20 , wherein the metal ring is arranged between the seal ring and the power bus.

26

26. The semiconductor structure of claim 25 , wherein the integrated circuit further comprises a metal layer arranged above the seal ring, the metal ring and the power bus, for coupling the seal ring and the power bus.

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Patent Metadata

Filing Date

October 12, 2014

Publication Date

March 22, 2016

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